New Delhi: Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Tuesday will launch the Indian Railways e-catering service at all the 408 major stations in the country, expanding the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC)’s popular facility that will allow travelling passengers to order food of their choice from leading railways and private caterers to be delivered at the stations.

The Railways has extended the station-based e-catering service to all these stations giving the options of more food choices to the passengers. You can get it checked from irctc.co.in. Last year in September (IRCTC) had introduced the facility at 45 stations on a trial basis.

Right now the facility is only for stations and not meant for the moving trains. Looking at this year’s Railway Budget 2016, the announcement was made and the new facility was launched. It is also in conformity with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Digital India’ vision.

To book the food of your choices you will be getting 4 options at the stations. One just needs to dial 1323 and make payment on cash on delivery (COD). Secondly, one can download “Food on Track” app on Android or IOs platforms, order food and make payment either in advance or through COD.

Thirdly, one can order the food on IRCTC’s e-catering website – ecatering.irctc.co.in – make online payment in advance or through COD. Last but not least, the passengers can choose to SMS to 139 by giving details of their PNR and seat number.

To broadbase the culinary choices of travelling passengers, the Indian Railways has also decided to involve Self Help Groups (SHGs).

I am glad that the Indian Railways had made good progress and the passengers now have a choice of ordering the food they relish. Also adopted the technology to help the passengers in choosing the choice of their food.